PHILLIMON MHLANGA
His path to the MD’s chair was so fast.
At the age of 30, Mike Kamungeremu, took to the helm of Tendo Electronics (Pvt) Ltd.
What is extraordinary is that while the average age of most MDs and CEOs is 50, according to recent studies, Kamungeremu is one of the few notable exceptions who made it to the top at 30, owing to his financial acumen.
The Tendo Electronics managing director’s strong financial expertise made him a strong operator, who could develop a strategy, understand financial drivers of the business and the financial ramifications of business decisions and was seen as someone who could create value for the company.
The then accountant quickly transitioned into business leadership after a few years in finance roles, which proved to be a building block in his career.
He joined Tendo at 24. Six years later, he took charge of the business and also became one of the shareholders.
“I became MD at 30 and it took me away from number crunching. The pressure is always there but I got in there knowing that fully well,” Kamungeremu told Business Times.
And today, Tendo is Zimbabwe’s leading provider of total integrated power, renewable energy and other related solutions in the country.
Tendo, supplies, installs and maintain standby generators, solar systems, CCTVs, access control, fire suppression systems and air conditioning.
Tendo also designs and builds data centres. It has designed and deployed more than 90% of all data centres in Zimbabwe.
Almost all banks in Zimbabwe and telecoms base stations have been supplied by Tendo.
“We have built and grown the business using local resources. Many people ask me if there are white people at Tendo. (But, I can say) Tendo is 100% black Zimbabwean-owned and all employees are Zimbabwean,” Kamungeremu said.
“We have designed and built probably 90% of all the data centres in this country and introduced some very powerful technologies that are helping our customers in cutting costs and serving the nation and for that I am very proud.”
The executive said while most executives rarely move quickly into MD or CEOs roles at 30, he made it to the top as he managed to handle the pressures that come with such roles.
And today, Kamungeremu, who hails from a village in Rushinga, has proven to have what it takes to win as a management accountant who has grown to be a successful business leader.
He is hard working but remains humble.
The executive, however, has a backstory owing to young age. Due to young age, he made early blunders when he started as MD of Tendo Technologies.
Although he had built efficient management teams who could deal with running the business, including finance, he wanted to continue with his career in number crunching.
This, he said, nearly affected his delegation skills.
He, however, quickly rectified it.
“Transitioning from a doer to a director was a bit of a challenge. I believed too much in my abilities and that affected my delegation skills. I wanted to do it myself,” Kamungeremu told Business Times.
He added: “Probably what I was not told earlier was that the numbers that I enjoyed so much as I grew up would actually become less as I climb up the ladder.
“Earlier on I actually wanted to do the numbers myself, yet I had a team at my disposal and that created more pressure for me. I had to quickly learn from my errors.”
Kamungeremu holds a Bachelor of Accountancy (Honours) Degree and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Zimbabwe.
He is also a holder of Chartered Management Accountant, the Chartered Global Management Accountant as well as a Diploma in Financial Management.
His philosophy in life is: “…Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying. This drives me to try new things with no prior experience and I always learn as I go. Even when I don’t succeed at one go, I keep trying.”
The executive said he draws inspiration from ‘local heroes’ who have made it against all odds.
“The story of Divine Ndhlukula on how she started Securico, the story of Davison Norupiri and how he setup Davipel, the story of Phillip Mataranyika on how he started Nyaradzo Group are very inspiring to me because I know them personally and I have listened to them telling their stories.”
Last week, Kamungeremu was appointed deputy president of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) following a virtual elective congress, replacing Bulawayo businessman Golden Muoni.
Kamungeremu will be deputising Tinashe Manzungu, who was re-elected president of ZNCC.
Asked what the appointment means to him, Kamungeremu said he was humbled to be elected by his peers to that position.
“That’s a bigger honour my brother. I was elected by MDs and CEOs from various companies across the country to lead them and for that I am very grateful and humbled,” he said.
ZNCC is 127 years old and the oldest Business Member Organisation in Zimbabwe.
ZNCC, he said, is the voice of business and was available 100% to listen to the concerns of business people and take them to the authorities and bring feedback.
“I am a servant of the ZNCC membership and I volunteered for that. The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) has already articulated vision 2030 with clarity and that vision will be achieved through economic growth and that growth is meant to be private sector-driven and we are the private sector,” the executive said.
“We are ready to play our part in the vision and lobbying is key for that vision as we seek to improve the ease of doing business for our members and the generality of business people in Zimbabwe. I come with an open mind to play my part in helping the Chamber fulfil its mandate and help the country.”
He added: “With ZNCC, I think the new normal has helped ease the pressure a bit since most engagements happen electronically.
“I can imagine what the situation would be if we were travelling physically to every meeting. But having said that the pressure is still there and I learn a lot from those that occupied the position before me like (Tamuka) Macheka, (Davison) Norupiri, (Divine) Ndhlukula and others.
“I saw them doing it in this position when I was part of the structures and I believe I can also follow suit. The good thing is they are all still around and I can reach out for guidance,” he said.
The executive serves on the boards of ZimTrade, ZIMSEC, Ramola Security and Net Professional Business Academy.
Asked what’s the most interesting thing that people don’t know about him, Kamungeremu said: “I like farming but I dropped agriculture at school. That’s my regret.”
The executive’s other big regret was: “When my grandfather called me in 2016 saying come and see me now, I said I am busy with work sekuru, I will come during the weekend. He passed away the following day and I was hurt. I don’t know what he wanted to tell me and I will never know.”
The executive has read many books that have left indelible lessons and helped shape his views in life.
“……The one that really changed me was Talent is never enough by John C Maxwell.
“I used to believe so much in my natural ability growing up but this book taught me that just that natural talent could not take me far. It provided other ingredients that one requires to complement their natural talent.
“These are belief, passion, initiative, focus, preparation, practice, perseverance, courage, teachability, character, relationships, responsibility and teamwork. The book is very good and I would recommend it to anyone seeking to maximise their potential.’
Currently, the executive is reading Why A students work for C Students by Robert T Kiyosaki.
Kamungeremu is married to Rachel and they are blessed with two boys.
He closes with words of encouragement to young professionals.
“Work smart and learn from those with experience. Be humble and respect your elders, they will teach you a lot. Don’t limit yourself to your local surroundings for the world is now a global village. Even if you fail, pick yourself up and try again.”
During his spare time, he enjoys travelling, and watching his favourite football club, London-based Chelsea Football Club.
Prior to joining Tendo, Kamungeremu worked for Mande & Company and Doves Funeral Services.
Growing up at Manetsera Primary School, Gwangwava Primary School in Rushinga, in Mashonaland Central Province, Kamungeremu was fascinated by the idea of being a pilot.
That, however, changed when he was in form one at Gwangwava High School, also in Rushinga.
He began to want to be an accountant. The idea kept pushing him even when he was doing A-Levels at Lord Malvern High School in Waterfalls, Harare.
And indeed, he became one.
